Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Half-centuries from Shaun Marsh and Brad Haddin set the stage for Australia to complete an 84-run victory in the first one-day international against West Indies.
Marsh scored 81 from 97 balls on his debut to earn the Man of the Match award, and Brad Haddin hit an enterprising 50 off 52 balls, as Australia reached 273 for eight from their 50 overs after they were sent in to bat yesterday.
Gaining modest bounce and little sideways movement from the hard, easy-paced Arnos Vale Sports Complex pitch under cloudy skies, Australia, led by Nathan Bracken, bowled steadily to dismiss West Indies for 189 from 39.5 overs.
The victory gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match series which continues on Friday at the Queen’s Park Stadium in the Grenada capital of St. George’s.
But the near capacity crowd became incensed, when Bracken bowled Darren Sammy behind his back for 33.
Sammy needed confirmation from umpire Asad Rauf as to the method of his dismissal, since he did not know whether the ball came off wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s pads, or had hit the stumps directly.
Brief scores: Australia 273 for 8 in 50 overs (S Marsh 81, B Haddin 50; D Sammy 2/31) beat West Indies 189 all out in 39.5 overs (D Bravo 33, D Sammy 33; N Bracken 4/31)
